Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-04-24
C,eye,and,s Chances.


There are unerring indications that
public sentiment, especially IN the
Democratic party, is beginning to
uoiut with marked significance to Mr..
Cleveland as the strongest man in
the country to lead the Democratic
hosts to victory in 1888. Nor is this
sentiment at all the result OF any
cpen or covert action OF Mr.. Cleve-
land or his friends. The former has
done or said nothing that woald indi-
cate that he is desirous of filling
SECOND term. Indeed, is is doubtful
whether he would acceptthe nomina-
ton. In his letter OF acceptance IN
1884, he said..'geuerally that he be-
Iieyed that no President should look
forward to second term, for the
very obvious reason that such an
aspiration was calculated to render his
administration weak in its executive
aspects, from the inevitable tendency
of the incumbent to so shape his
policy as to gain favor with the
party leaders, whose power and inffu-
ence would thus be conciliated. Cleve-
land has carefully abstained from
such policy. He has done what he
has considered right and for the
benefit OF the country, regardless OF
its effect upon the President-makers.
And it is in steadily pursuing this un-
selfish policy that he has made for
him self the fgreat strength he now
has wi tn the people. He has bent
all his energies in the direction Of
giving to the country a government at
once dignifed and economical. He
has lab ored faithfully and effectively
in producing reforms in all the depart.
ments, and has given to every Of
fetal an example of industry and
scrutiny such as has not been seen
at the head of the Nation for many
years. He has not hesitated to re-
woke appointments that were shown
to be unworthy, nor to stand up man.
fully to his announced policy of civil
service reform. This policy he has
maintained against the powerful pro-
tests OF nearly all the active workers
Of the Dem ocratic party, thus show
ing an inAe xibility OF principle which
has raised against him the antagon-
ism OF a large section Of his most ar
dent suppoi ters in 1884. This alone
would prove that he is above the arts
OF the ord mary politician, and exem-
plfies in all its strength the declara-
tion of Daniel Webster, that he would
rather be right than President. We
have no doubt that Cleveland has
builded wiser..s. than he was aware
o.. His straightforward, staunch
and honest policy is bringing
it's reward in the shape OF a
growing opinion everywhere
that he is the strongest man in the
Democratic party to go before the
people for reelection in 1858. Frank
Newlauds, who is on visit East, has
given the people OF this coast an in.
sight into the standing OF Mr.. Cleve'
land in the country. He has talked
with representative Democrats in New
York who are sorely disgruntled
with Cleveland. ON account OF his
slowness to turn Republicans out
and put Democrats in, and who say
that although they are opposed to
Cleveland and would like to see
Governor Hill get the prize, yet
public opinion points. SO strongly to
his denomination that they will be
compelled to give in toit. Whilst We
have never admired the civil-service
policy of the President, we cannot
close our eyes TO the fact that his ad-
ministration has been so eminently
acceptable to the country as to rem
der it doubtful whether the party can
afford 10 ignore the great strength this
has given him with the people.